Sep 27, 2011

Another peek into Draz's cabinet of walnuttery: cutting those he promised legislative loving

In this morning's Winona Daily News, Bill McMillan shares his experience at one of Representative Steve Drazkowski's town halls when he asked a question about closing tax loopholes for corporations. And since the Rochester Post Bulletin has now shared that Draz's Deform 2.0 meeting is Thursday, Bluestem recommends that readers go get their own precious memory with the Draz.

I asked Drazkowski if it was true he voted against legislation that would have raised revenue by closing tax loopholes for corporations making money in Minnesota but sheltering it in tax havens overseas. (The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates the amount to be $90 million per year.) He said he opposed this legislation because it would have meant “raising taxes” on those corporations and he was opposed to raising taxes of any kind. I think most Minnesotans would not consider this “raising taxes,” but as requiring those corporations to pay their fair share.

It's been said the most radical idea in America is a long memory. McMillan demonstrates why when he reminds readers of priorities Draz claimed before the last session:

Before the session began, Drazkowski stated in a guest editorial: “Personally, my top priorities are our kids, our elderly and vulnerable adults, our roads and bridges and public safety.”

In March 2011, Drazkowski was one of only 16 of the 134 State Representatives to vote for a $19 cut per pupil to our schools.

This year, Drazkowski voted to drastically limit the number of people allowed to get Elderly and Developmental Disability Waivers for individuals needing care in a facility such as a community-based group home. (About one-third the cost of nursing home care)

He voted to cut the renters tax credit. (According to a recent survey, 27 percent of households in Minnesota are rented) this would result in a $170 increase in these households, which tend to be low income and elderly.